The Last Volkswagen Type 2 Bus Sent To German Museum

In 1957, Volkswagen began production of the Type 1 Kombi van in Brazil, and in 1995 began production of the Type 2 to meet increasing safety standards. Alas, the VW Type 2 Kombi has reached the end of the line, the very last production model is being shipped from Brazil to Hannover, Germany, where it will see out its days as a museum piece.

This last VW Kombi bus is a small but important part of Volkswagen’s history. While I’d never make the claim that the Volkswagen Type 2 bus is a “green” car (even though it can run on ethanol), I think it’s fair to say that its simple and rugged design have proven more than effective for the past 50+ years, just like the Mexican-built Beetle that only just went out of production. You just don’t get the same kind of utility out of today’s cars, and I can’t imagine any automaker building a current model car for decade upon decade. Those days, I hope, are over.

The Kombi bus has many fans in Brazil though, and Volkswagen had to double the offering of a “last edition” model from 600 to 1,200 units, despite a price tag of over $35,000. Production of the Kombi van in Brazil has surpassed 1.5 million units, making it among the most popular vehicles in this fast-growing country.

Those of you hoping to buy a modern take on a classic design, possibly converting it into a contemporary Westfalia camper, have unfortunately missed your chance With the retirement of the Brazilian Kombi, there are no more old Volkswagens in production, at least on this side of the planet, marking the end of an era that has lasted a very long time.

Source: Volkswagen

Prisoners pedal for electricity in Brazil, lighting the city at night - W/Video

Generating electricity through energy sources other than coal and nuclear is being debated in legislatures and board rooms around the world. In addition to natural gas, wind, solar and geothermal, there's one zero-emission energy source that we really don't hear much about: prisoner power. But it's real.

Inmates at a facility in Brazil have been given an option to reduce their sentences by pedaling bicycles that generate electricity. It's taking place at a maximum security prison near Santa Rita do Sapucai in the mountains north of São Paolo. See the video below.

According to news reports, doing the local community a solid helps the inmates feel better about themselves and improves their health. Gilson Rafal Silver, the prison director, says prisoners can exercise and lose weight. As for reducing their sentence, every 24 hours of pedaling reduces their prison stay by one day. The energy lights up city lights.

In this age of government budget cuts and energy efficiency, does it make sense for prisoner power to become a viable alternative? Human power is also considered by some to be an important transportation power source, by the International Human Powered Vehicle Association, for example. Do these power bikes count?

Brazil inmates cycle to freedom by generating...